Well, I had my heart set on a red 8310, but now that I'm in waiting for delivery purgatory, I've started thinking what the advantages/disadvantages of this BB vs. the 8820.

Is it only the camera vs. wi-fi, or more? This is my personal use device. Any recommendations?

I heard a rumor that the 8310 may have the 4.3 OS, much like the Pearl 2 has. It was demonstrated in video on a Pearl 2 on YouTube. The differences are mainly the fact that the 8820 has BOTH wifi AND GPS, but lacks camera, and the 8310 has gps and camera, but no wifi. Also, the 8820 is bigger and IMHO has a more professional look. Lots of people prefer the curve keyboard over the 8820. I have heard some say the 8820 keyboard is great however. So, it is all up to your personal taste.

OH! And the 8310 has a headphone jack that takes "standard" headphones. The 8820 does not. You must use a converter.

I'm one of those people Numethus was talking about that prefers the Curve keyboard. IMHO, it is light years more comfortable than all of the 8800 series keyboards, and to me it is THE biggest difference between the phones. I can type well enough with either/any of them now that I've gotten used to the 8800 series keyboards--and the keys and keyboard are actually bigger on the 8800 series than on the Curves--but none of the 8800 series keyboards ever feel comfortable to me, and I always make more mistakes hitting multiple keys. Thankfully, spellcheck takes care of most problems.

To me, the Curve's keyboard is superior, and that's the biggest difference. That's very important to me, because the Curve's keyboard is just more fun to use.

I would think it would come out later this quarter, too, but I hope I am wrong.

It is on the Pearl 2 that Verizon is releasing! The Pearl 2 in action video on YouTube shows the message view with the new border separating the header from message. It shows the voice recording icon in video. And it was explained in the video that it has the new browser. All of those are updates that will be found in 4.3 of the OS, especially the new look for reading email and contacts.

If the VZW Pearl 2 already has it, and they are demoing it already, 4.3 is most likely already done and ready to ship.

It is on the Pearl 2 that Verizon is releasing! The Pearl 2 in action video on YouTube shows the message view with the new border separating the header from message. It shows the voice recording icon in video. And it was explained in the video that it has the new browser. All of those are updates that will be found in 4.3 of the OS, especially the new look for reading email and contacts.

If the VZW Pearl 2 already has it, and they are demoing it already, 4.3 is most likely already done and ready to ship.

Oh, okay. I was more talking about the 83xx series and other devices (88xx and 87xx). But if it is to be released with the Pearl then it will probably be released in November, which is later in this quarter.

4.3.1 will likely be the next release for the other devices. However, it's rumored to still be in very small, inside beta testing.

How do you explain the features that are in the VZW Pearl 2? They backported 4.3 features into 4.2? If it is not done, it is very much almost done to the point it will be ready by the time the Pearl 2 hits Verizon. And that is only a month away.

Oh, okay. I was more talking about the 83xx series and other devices (88xx and 87xx). But if it is to be released with the Pearl then it will probably be released in November, which is later in this quarter.

Where is that link on YouTube? I want to see it in action!

It is here. Notice the view of the message display, the sound recorder in the Media application, and the other changes that we were told would be in 4.3 a while ago. Specifically the user interface changes. I love the graphical border separating the header from the messages. Even though its minor, it gives it a more modern look.

I just finished watching it. I forgot how nice and small the Pearl is. I only held one for about 20 minutes and loved the form factor. I am still up in the air about getting the 8820 or the Pearl.

The Pearl is nice. Once you get used to it, you can type using SureType fast. I can actually type most things faster than I can with a qwerty on the Pearl, and it has the advantage of rapid typing one handed.

How do you explain the features that are in the VZW Pearl 2? They backported 4.3 features into 4.2? If it is not done, it is very much almost done to the point it will be ready by the time the Pearl 2 hits Verizon. And that is only a month away.

You sure like to challenge me. The Pearl 2 will likely have a version of 4.3.0.